4 Steps to Take Action on Your Goals

Did you know that 90 % of all New Year’s resolutions never get fulfilled? So if you’re ever found yourself on December 31st, wondering what happened to all of the big goals you set for yourself back on the previous New Year’s Eve, and why you’re not taking action on your goals, you’re certainly not alone.

“It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well have not lived at all.” – J.K. Rowling

So let’s look at what separates the 10 percent who DO achieve their goals from the vast majority who don’t?

The answer has everything to do with ACTION.

The people who achieve great success in life are the ones who are willing to take consistent action toward realizing their dreams.

They’re the ones who jump out of their seat to get the ball rolling — on the new project at work, the new skill they want to learn, or the promotion they want to get.

They consistently take steps to make their goals happen, no matter what others may think or say about it.

Most importantly, they realize that the decisive moments of their lives aren’t just in the big, once-a-year big scary leaps of faith and goal-setting.

They’re in the countless small decisions they make and actions they take every single day that keep them on target toward achieving their dreams.

Because without regular and decisive action, your goals simply are not going to be achieved. Period.

So today I’d like to share four powerful tips for developing an action-focused mindset and lifestyle that will help you make steady and sustainable progress toward your dreams, and guarantee that 2019 is a truly phenomenal year for you.

1. Eliminate ALL Excuses

My first “action tip” is to start by eliminating all your excuses for not taking action.

Because if you’re looking for a reason to delay taking action, you will always be able to find one.

For example, you might tell yourself that you shouldn’t apply for that new position you want because you haven’t been working at the company long enough, and somebody else is probably more qualified for the job.

Or you might tell yourself you to wait before taking on a new project because you should probably do more research and preparation first.

Or you might try to convince yourself that you need more money, resources, or time to get started.

All of these are just excuses you tell yourself to justify your lack of action.

To achieve your goals this year, you have to give up all of your excuses.

Because you will always be able to come up with reasons why you should wait before you start.

But successful people don’t listen to those reasons and excuses.

They are just coming from the part of you that is afraid to fail.

Successful people ignore those voices of fear and just dive in and get to work!

They build momentum by taking action. They learn what they need to know as they do it.

And so should you.

2. Don’t Wait For The Perfect Moment

There is no such thing as the perfect moment.

You might tell yourself that now is not a good time because you’re busy at work, or have a project you’d like to finish first, or there’s too much going on with your family right now.

But there is ALWAYS going to be something going on in your life.

If you want to take action on your dreams, you can’t just wait for the right time to come.

You have to make NOW the right time and just go for it taking whatever steps you can take right now.

3. Take The First Step

The next piece of advice is to simply START by taking that first step.

Because that’s what achieving your goals is – a series of small steps, taken one after another, toward the reality you want to create.

You don’t achieve it all in one fell swoop!

Success is a journey that takes place over time.

And the most important action you will take on that journey is that very first step.

Because once you’ve taken one step, you will find it easier to take the next, and even easier to take the next, and so on.

Just choose to believe you can do it, and start.

One of my favorite quotes is by Dr. Martin Luther King, who said:

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.”

A good example of the truth in that statement is how Nashville singer-songwriter Jana Stanfield started her music career.

When she decided she wanted to be a successful singer, someone advised her to start by taking three easy steps she could not fail at.

So she bought a guitar, signed up for guitar lessons, and went down to the local Holiday Inn Motel and asked the manager, “What is the process that you use to hire people to perform in the lounge?”

After she took those actions, she decided what the next 3 action items would be.

And now she has recorded lots of albums, has written hit songs for top country performers, and performs all over the world by herself, and with superstars like Kenny Loggins.

4. “Fail Forward Faster”

My final piece of advice is to “fail forward faster.” Don’t let fear of failure stop you from taking action.

Instead, recognize that some amount of failure is inevitable.

You’re not going to get everything right the first time.

You are going to make mistakes. And that’s okay!

Making mistakes is how you learn. And the knowledge you gain about what didn’t work is invaluable and will help you get better results with your next attempt.

This is known as “failing forward” — using each failure to launch you closer to your dreams and goals – closer to your vision of your ideal life.

Give up your excuses, don’t wait for the perfect moment, make NOW the perfect moment, and focus on taking that one first small step – and then the next, and the next, and the next – while refusing to let the fear of failure stop you in your tracks.